Overshot



May 24, 193,2.

INVENTOR. J. 620055 Z5 @fr/No M La ATTORNEYS.

B. J. cLoUsE May 24, 1932.

OVERSHOT Filed April 28, 1931 '5 sheets-sheet 2' INI/EN TOR. eu/yo J. Clar/5E BY M@ ATTORNEYS.

May 24 1932 B. J. cLousE 1,860,016

ovERsHoT Filef April 28. 1951 Sheets-Sheety 3 INVENTOR. 5er/No J. Cna/5E ATTORNEYS.

i. .s y

Patented May 24, 1932 :BRUNQ J. cLoUsE, or BAKERSFIELD; CALIFQRNIA ovERsHo'r Application flied April as,

My invention relates generally to overshots of the character employed in drilling operations at oil and water wells for the recovery of pipe and casing which has broken off in the hole.

conventional form of overshot7 enables the latter to be readily applied to a pipe which has broken off in the hole and becomebent so as to be eccentrically disposed vto such extent that it would not be possible to successfully fish for the pipe with. the overshot alone, to the end of avoiding loss of the pipev as well as abandonment of the hole'should it be impossible to drill past the pipe.

It is a further purpose of my invention to provide a device of the above described character embodying a. guiding or directing member which during lowering of Vthe overshot into the hole occupies a position wherein it will not interfere with the lowering operation, and is preferably y although not necessarily moved to a working position for engagement with the pipe to be fished, by utilizing the pressure of the usual circulating fluid employed during drilling operations.

I will describe only one form of overshotl embodying my invention, and will then point out the novel features thereofin claims. p In the `accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a view showing in vertical longitudinal section one form of guiding device.

embodying my inventionassociated with a conventional overshot.

Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view taken on the line 2 2 of Figure 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows.`

Figure 3 is a horizontal `sectional view taken on the line 3 3 of Figure 1 and lookp ing' in the direction of the arrows.

Figures 4:, 5,: and 6 areviews similar lto Figure 1 and illustratingfvarious positions occupied by the device during the fishing operation.

Referring specifically to the drawings in which similar reference characters designate similar parts in each of the several views, my invention in its present embodiment is shown associated with a conventional overshot hav- It is a purpose of my invention to .pro- Y vde a device which in its association with a 1931.y serial No. 533,499.

ing the usual bell nipple Orbowl tached toa hollow head 11 containing a circular series of spring Slips L12 andconneeted by means ofva length of oasingl to a drill pipe (not shown) for lowering" ofthe overshot over a pipe or casingv whichr has broken ofll in a bore hole. s l A My invention inthe present instance comprises a guiding memberG in the formv of a rigid arm of metal pivotally mounted `adj a- I centone end on a pin lijournaled in bearings 15 secured by Vbolts16 in ahollow cylindrical piston 17 slidably mounted in the casing 13 of the overshot. The member projects freely through a slot 18 in the piston in order to permit rocking movement of themember about the axis of the pin; and it will be `1 AT,ENTIAQFFICES understood that the pin and piston broadly constitute means for mounting the member 1n the overshot for moyementlengthwise or axially thereof and pivotal movement about y sition sho-wn in Figure 41.

The piston 17 is adapted to rest upon the y slips 12 of the overshot to definitely limit outward movement of the member G axially i. of the overshot; and in this extreme axialposition of the member, its outer or forward extremity`19 is disposed in advance of the for- .ward edge of the bowl 10.

Under the action of gravity, the member Y G normally swings aboutthe axis ofthe pin 14 toits inactiveposition wherein it isdis-l p sov posed within a-circle defined by the outside v diameterofpthe bowll() soas not to interfere with lowering movement ofthe overshot. In the'present instance the member is adapted to be swung to its active position by fluid pressure responsive means; and to this end a flexible extension or bar 20is secured to the pivoted'` end of the member by bolts 21 so as to be disposed in the piston-17.

To the free'upper endfof the extension is secured by bolts 22 an abutment 23'in'the form j of a metal plate bentv to provideA diverging avings 24.which determine the inactive posicape of fluid pressure around it, the upper.

pin 14 to its active position wherein its for-- ward extremity is disposed beyond the diameter of the bowl 10 for engagement with the upper end of a drill pipe or casing P which has broken olf in the hole and is bent so as to be off center in the hole or crowded against the wall of the latter and'lpossibly partially imbeddedin the formation.

The forward extremityA of the guiding member is beveled as indicated at 26 so as to enable the member to enter the upper end of the drill pipe, and is also provided with a shoulder 27 adapted to abut the upper edge of the pipe toflimit the'extent to which the member can enter the pipe. Inclined surfaces 28 and 29-on the forward extremity of the member are adapted to be engaged by the overshot bowl to cam the member radially inward about the pin 14 during the lowering i operation for a purpose to be later described. In order to seal the piston against the esi end of the piston is provided with a .packing 30 so that upon the pumping of circulating to cause lirst the inclined surface 28 and theniL fluid into the-overshot casing 13 to force the -.guiding member to its activeposition, the

an upwardly opening check valve 32 in the s .upper end of the piston permit the passage of Huid pressure will also be exerted upon the` piston to' positively move it to and .main-V tain it in engagement with the slips 12 wherein the guidingmemberis disposed in its exf treme axial position shown in Figures 1l and 4. y

f Ports 31in the lowerend of the piston, and

. fluid through the piston so thatlowering' by the iiuid as will be understood. `An eye.

movement of the overshot will be unrestricted bolt "33 is. also provided in the upper end of .the piston forr the attachment of a: cable to apply and remove the device from the overshot.

The operation of my invention is as fol'- 'l lows:

Y to.L be fished is'located. The overshotis lowf ered to apoint disposing'the lower end of the With the device lowered into the vovershot so that the piston 17 rests-upon the slips 12 tov dispose the guiding member G in its rextreme position axially of the overshot and in its inactive positionraeially of the latterr under the action of gravity, the overshot is lowered into the hole in which the drill pipe member G at aV level slightly abovef'fthat at ywhich the drill pipeis known to be broken olf.

ing movement of theovershot` is nowl initi-f vpiston te maintain the member in its .extreme position axially of the overshot, all as shown in Figure 4, l

The overshot is now lowered further in an effort to engage lthe lower extremity of the guiding member with the upper end yof the lbroken oil" drill pipe, and should Vthe member not be vproperly positioned circumferentially to engage the pipe, the overshot'is raised slightly andthen partially rotated to fdispose the member in a new position circumferentially. This operation is repeated until the member `engages the drill -pipe upon which the beveled surface 26 of the memberwill operate` to force the drill pipe towards the center of the hole until the Vmember extends into the drill pipe withthe shoulder 27 of the member resting upon the upper edge ofthe pipe as shown'in Figure 4, afterjjjgo 1 now continued; and it will be clear that as thegg drill pipe supportsthe `guiding lmember against further downward movement,' the overshot will move downwardly relative to the member and piston as shown in Figure 5 the inclined surface 29 ofthe member to be engaged by the inner wall of the overshot bowl 10 to thus co-act therewith in camming .the member radially inward about the axis Vof the pin 14, thereby'causing the member tog. Imove the upper endof the drill pipe towards the center of the hole so as to finally be centered sufficiently to entery the bowl. TWhen Vthe abutment 23 strikes the inner-wall of the piston during Athis movement ofthe member.:

'first couplingconnectingfthe drill pipe sec'- tions to expand and pass the slips 12. Raisated, causing the slips to engage beneath the coupling asl shown in Figure 6 and exert a pulling force upon the drill pipe to'raise 'the latter from the hole. V Y,

From the foregoing description vit .willi be manifest that I have'provided a device of simple and durable constructionwhicliin its association with anovershot, enables the fils - overshot along wouldbe incapable of suicdisposedin the hole to such extent that the cessfully fishing for the pipe, thereby materially increasing Vthe range of use ofthe overshotl and eifectinga large saving in the drilling operation by preventing loss'of the pipe and abandonment of the hole should it not be possible to drill by the pipe. f

VAlthough I have `herein shown andldescribed only one form of overshot embodying my invention, it is tobe understood that varous changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In combination, an overshot, a guiding member having a portion constructed to enter the upper end of a pipe in a bore hole, means for mounting the member in the overshot to project in advance of the latter and formovement `from an inactive position to an active position wherein the projecting portion ofy for movement from an inactive position to an active position wherein the projecting portion of the member'extendsbeyond the diameter of the overshot bowl, and means for moving the position. Y i

3. In combination, an overshot, aguiding member adapted to engage a pipe, means for mounting the member, inV the overshot for movement longitudinally of the latter to normally project in advance ofl the overshot,

means for mounting the Vmember on the first means for movement from an inactive position to an active position wherein the projectingl portion of the member extends beyond vthe diameter of the overshot bowl, and means for moving the member from inactive to active position. i A j Y- AC. In combinatioman overshot, a guiding member'v adapted to engage a pipe, means for mounting the member in the overshot for movement longitudinally ofthe latterto nor-` mally project in advance of the overshot, means for mounting the member on the first means for pivotal -movement from an inactive position to an active position wherein the projecting portion of the member extends beyond the diameter of the overshot'bowl, and means for moving the member from inactive to active position. j

5. In combination, an overshot, a'guiding member adapted to engage a pipe, means for mounting the member in the. overshot for movement longitudinally of the latter to'nor- `onto the pipe. of the invention andthe spirit and scope of member frominactive to active 'comprising a guiding member, means for `mally projectfin advancev ofthe overshot,

for moving the member from inactive to" ativ-e position, the member having a surface engaged by the overshot for. co-action therewith in moving a pipe towards the center of the hole during lowering movement of the overshot so as to enable the latterV to Vmove member adapted to engage a pipe, meansfor mounting the member in ,the overshot for movement longitudinallyfofythe latter to Vnormally project infadvance` of the overshot, means for mountingthe member on the' first means for movement from an inactiveposi- 6. In combination, an overshot, a guiding ftion to an active position wherein the projecting portion of the member` extends beyond the diameterkof the overshot bowl,and means for moving the member from inactive to active position, the extremity ofthe projecting portion of the member being lshaped to enter the end of a pipe andhaving a shoulder to abutV the pipe end and limit movementof the member into the pipe.` A j 7. In combination, an overshot, and means constructed to enter the upper end of a pipe disposed eccentrically ina bore hole, and coacting with the overshot to guide the latter onto the pipe during lowering movement of the overshot inthe hole. Y j

8. A' device ofl the character `described mounting the member rin an overshot'for movement axially thereof to normally project in advance of the overshot, `and means pivotally mounting the member on the first means for movement radiallywith respectto the: overshot.

9. A 'device of e comprising a guiding me'mber, i means for mounting the member in. an overshotfor vmovement axially thereof to normally project in advance of the overshot, means pivvotaily mounting the member ron 'thelfirst means for movement radially with respect to the overshot, and means for moving the memloer about the axis of the pivotal mounting to l one extreme position.

the character Adescribed lO. In combination, an overshot, a guiding arm, means ffor mountingthe arm A'in' the overshot forl movementaxially thereof and co-actingwith the slips ofthe `overshot toV normally support the arm with `one extremity thereof projecting inadvance of the overshot bowl,land means for mounting `the Varm on the first means Y for pivotal f movement radially of the lovershot to occupy inactiveand active positions.

ll. In combination, an' overshot, a piston Y mounted in the overshot for movement axi- *.alily'thei'eof, a: guidingarm pivotal'ly mount- ,v ed on the piston for, movement radially 4with respectl to the overshot,AV means for moving fthe' piston .to one extreme position wherein the arm projects in advance ofthe overshot bowl, and. means for moving the arm about 'the yaxis ci' its pivotal mounting` to an extreme position wherein the extremity of; the projecting portion of the arm vis disposed be- '.yond the diameter of the overshot bowl.

" 12. l 1n combination, an overshot, a guiding arm, a hollow piston on ywhich the 'arm is pivoted, slidablymounted inthe overshot orfmovemeiit axially7 thereof and movable under the action ot vlu-id pressure to one extremefposition nwherein the arm projects in "advance of the overshot bowl, and iluid presi sure responsive ineansror moving the arm about the axis of its pivotal mounting o the piston to one extreme position. Y Y

13. in combination, an overshot, a guiding arm,a hollow piston' on which the arm is pivoted, slide-bly mounted in the overshot for movement axiallythereof and movable` 13 wherein the piston is provided with ports rand a check valve through which fluid is adapted to pass from the piston.

15. The combination as embodied in claim '13 wherein the extensionlof the arm is lexi- .ble for the purpose described.

16. vIn combination, an overshot,'a guiding member, means for mounting the member in the overshot Vfor movement axially and ra- '.lially of the latter, and means for moving the member axially and radially to a position wherein the member projects in advance of the overshot bowl with the extremity or" the projecting portion of the member disposed beyond the diameter of the overshot bowl.

17. In combination, an-.oveishot, a guiding member, means for mounting the member in the overshot for movement axially and radially of the latter, and means for moving the fmember axially and radially to a position wherein the member projects inV advance of the overshot bowl with the extremity of the projecting portion of the member disposed Ybeyond the diameter of the overshot bowl, Vthev member havinga surface with which the overshot'co-acts to move the member radially inward from said position in response to axial movement ofV the overshot towards said yextremityof the member. f

igsedoie 18.. An overshot having a' guiding mem- Yber projecting in advance and beyond the diameter of the overshot bowl constructed to enter the upperend of a pipe -disposed eccentrically in a borehole, and means whereby lowering movement of the overshot in the hole will cause the member to enter and move the pipe towards the center of the. hole toa vpositionwherein it willj enter the overshot as` the lowering operation proceeds.

19. An overshot having av guiding member positioned to enter the upper end of a pipe disposed eccentrically in a bore hole, and means on the member. and overshot co-acting in response to lowering movement of the latter, to move the pipe towards the center of the holev sufficientlyl for the pipe toA enter the overshot.

20. In combination, an overshot, aguidng member having a portion constructedy toenter the upper endl of a pipe in a borehole,

means fcrmounting the member in the overshot to project in advance of the latter and for movement fromv an inactive position to an active position wherein the projecting portion of the member is disposed beyond the Vdiameter of the overshot bowl, meansifor moving the member from inactive to active position, and means for limiting the extentA to which the member can enter the pipe.

21. In combination, an overshot, a guiding member having a portion constructed to enter the upper end of a pipe in a lbore hole, means for mounting the member inthe overshot to project in advancevof tlielatter and for movement from an inactive position to an active position rwherein the projecting portion of the member-fis vd'isposed'beyond the diameter of the overshot bowl, and means for moving themember from inactive toactive position, saidv portion of i the member havinga shoulder adapted 'to abutfthefpipe ends to limit movement of the.r member .into the pipe. Y

22. An overshot having afguiding `member positioned to enter tlieupper end'of a pipe disposed eccentrically in a borehole, means for limiting-the extent-to which the member can enter the pipe, and means on the member and overshot' co-acting in responsefto lower-` ing movement of the latter, to move the pipe towards the center ofthe hole suiiicientlyfor the pipe to enter the overshot. j

. -BRUNO J. CLOUSE. 

